Baker’s offers patients way to better coordinate medication

Medication A always runs out the first Wednesday of the month, which warrants a trip to the pharmacy for a refill.

Medication B runs out every two weeks, requiring two more trips to the pharmacy.

Medication C runs out monthly, on the last Thursday of the month, requiring yet another pharmacy run.

And now Logan’s wife, Kylie, was just prescribed a routine medication that will run out on the third Monday of every month.

That’s five trips to the pharmacy per month.

According to pharmacist Ryan Baker at Baker’s Pharmacy, that’s four too many trips. That’s why he is recommending the MedSync program, a service that will cut the couple’s pharmacy trips to once per month.

Through a brief consultation with Logan and Kylie, technicians at Baker’s will contact their physicians to re-align the medications so they are expected to run out on the same date. The couple chooses the 10th of each month.

Fast-forward a month: On the 8th, the prescriptions are filled, on the 9th, they call Logan and Kylie with a reminder, and on the 10th, the couple take their single monthly trip to the pharmacy counter.

According to Baker, this is a relatively new idea in community pharmacy.

“It is more sophisticated and patient specific than what you might find at a chain pharmacy that does automatic refills,” he said.

Pamela Jarrett, who takes care of her father, said this program is a load off her shoulders.

“It’s really wonderful,” she said. “Trying to manage that many medications is awful.”

Now, Jarrett uses the program to organize medications for her and her dad. Her father is on seven different prescriptions while Jarrett takes three medications.

Along with the synchronization program, Baker’s is offering Med- Check, a service that organizes dosages for patients who take multiple medications. Some medications can’t be taken with others, while certain pills require several doses each day.

“Sometimes life requires multiple medications,” Baker said. “Some need to be taken at specific hours, some with food, some without, some instruct you to stay out of the sun, or avoid certain foods.”

Through a consultation, Baker and his staff can determine other effective medications that can simplify the timetable and avoid interactions, which routinely lead to skipped dosages.

National Check Your Meds Day is Oct. 21, which is the perfect time for patients struggling with their medications to sit down with a pharmacist, Baker said. To schedule an appointment, call 423-2800.